Typhoon Paka
1052626
224441345
2008-07-08T21:18:38Z
129.1.31.165
/* Marshall Islands */
{{Infobox Hurricane
| Name = Typhoon Paka
| Type = typhoon
| Year = 1997
| Basin = EPac
| Image location = Paka 15 dec 1997 0429Z.jpg
| Image name = Super Typhoon Paka on [[December 15]]
| Formed = [[November 28]], [[1997]]
| Dissipated = [[December 23]], [[1997]]
| 1-min winds = 160
| 10-min winds = 100
| Pressure = 901
| Damages = 580
| Inflated = 0
| Fatalities = None reported
| Areas = [[Marshall Islands]], [[Guam]], [[Mariana Islands]]
| Hurricane season = [[1997 Pacific hurricane season]], [[1997 Pacific typhoon season]]
}}
'''Typhoon Paka''' (international designation: ''9728'', JTWC designation: ''05C'', [[PAGASA]] designation: '''Rubing''', also known as ''Super Typhoon Paka'') was the last [[tropical cyclone]] in the 1997 Pacific [[1997 Pacific hurricane season|hurricane]] and [[1997 Pacific typhoon season|typhoon]] season, and was among the strongest Pacific typhoons in the month of December.<ref>{{cite web|author=Japan Meteorological Agency|year=2007|title=Best Track for Western North Pacific Tropical Cyclones|accessdate=2007-10-27|format=PDF|url=http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/jma-eng/jma-center/rsmc-hp-pub-eg/Besttracks/bst_all.txt}}</ref> Paka, which is the [[Hawaiian language|Hawaiian]] name for Pat,<ref name="cphc">{{cite web|author=Benjamin C. Hablutzel, Hans E. Rosendal, James C. Weyman, Jonathan D. Hoag|year=1997|title=The 1997 Central Pacific Tropical Cyclone Season|publisher=Central Pacific Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-04-29|url=http://www.prh.noaa.gov/cphc/summaries/1997.php#PAKA}}</ref> developed on [[November 28]] from a [[trough (meteorology)|trough]] well to the southwest of [[Hawaii]]. The storm tracked generally westward for much of its duration, and on [[December 7]] it crossed into the western Pacific Ocean. Much of its track was characterized by fluctuations in intensity, and on [[December 10]] the cyclone attained typhoon status as it crossed the [[Marshall Islands]]. On [[December 16]], Paka struck [[Guam]] and [[Rota (island)|Rota]] with winds of 230 km/h (145 mph), and it strengthened further to reach peak winds on [[December 18]] over open waters. Subsequently, it underwent a steady weakening trend, and on [[December 23]] Paka dissipated.
Typhoon Paka first impacted the [[Marshall Islands]], where it dropped heavy rainfall and left $80 million in damage (1997 USD, $100 million 2007 USD). Later, it passed just north of Guam, where strong winds destroyed about 1,500 buildings and damaged 10,000 more; 5,000 people were left homeless, and the island experienced a complete power outage following the typhoon. Damage on the island totaled $500 million (1997 USD, $645 million 2007 USD), which warranted the [[List of retired Pacific hurricane names|retirement of its name]]. Paka also caused light damage in the [[Northern Marianas Islands]], and overall the typhoon caused no reported fatalities.
==Storm history==
{{storm path|Paka 1997 track.png}}
As the weather synoptics of the northern [[Pacific Ocean]] transitioned into a late-fall to early winter-type pattern, [[convection]] from the [[monsoon trough]] extended to the east of the [[International Date Line]]. During late November, a westerly disturbance developed into twin [[trough (meteorology)|trough]]s on opposite sides of the [[equator]]; the one in the [[Southern Hemisphere]] ultimately developed into [[1997-98 South Pacific cyclone season#Tropical Storm Pam|Tropical Storm Pam]], while the one in the [[Northern Hemisphere]] formed into an area of convection about 2000 km (1240 mi) southwest of [[Hawaii]]. The disturbance gradually organized as it drifted north-northeastward, and on [[November 28]] it developed into Tropical Depression Five-C about 465 km (290 mi) west-northwest of [[Palmyra Atoll]]. Operationally, the [[Central Pacific Hurricane Center]] (CPHC) did not begin issuing warnings on the system until [[December 2]].<ref name="summary">{{cite web|author=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|year=1999|title=Summary of Western North Pacific and North Indian Ocean Tropical Cyclones|accessdate=2007-04-29|url=https://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc/atcr/1997atcr/ch3/chap3.htm}}</ref><ref name="pakatcr">{{cite web|author=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|year=1999|title=Super Typhoon Paka (05C) ATCR|accessdate=2007-04-29|url=https://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc/atcr/1997atcr/ch3/05cw.htm}}</ref><ref name="epachurdat">{{cite web|author=Hurricane Research Division|year=2007|title=Eastern North Pacific Tracks File 1949–2007|publisher=NOAA|accessdate=2008-03-06|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/tracks1949to2007_epa.txt}}</ref><ref name="cphc"/>
The tropical depression continued drifting north-northeastward, and failed to strengthen significantly. It turned to the west on [[December 1]], due to the presence of a strong [[anticyclone]] to its north with a [[ridge (meteorology)|ridge]] extending westward past the [[International Date Line]]. On [[December 2]], based on satellite estimates, the CPHC upgraded the depression to Tropical Storm Paka while located about 1000 km (625 mi) south-southeast of [[Johnston Atoll]]. Due to the presence of high [[cloud]]s across the area, forecasters had difficulty at times in locating the low-level circulation. After becoming a tropical storm, Paka remained nearly stationary for about two days before resuming a slow motion to the west-southwest. It steadily intensified due to warm water temperatures, and on [[December 3]] the storm attained winds of 105 km/h (65 mph). The next day, however, it encountered dry air and began weakening; by [[December 6]], the winds had decreased to minimal tropical storm status for about 12 hours. Subsequently, Paka began to re-intensify, and on [[December 7]] the storm crossed the [[International Date Line]] into the western North Pacific Ocean with winds of 80 km/h (50 mph).<ref name="epachurdat"/><ref name="cphc"/>
Upon entering the western North Pacific Ocean, tropical cyclone warning duties transferred from the CPHC to the [[Japan Meteorological Agency]] (JMA), and the JMA first assessed Paka as a 65 km (40 mph) storm.<ref name="jma">{{cite web|author=Japan Meteorological Agency|year=1997|title=Best Track of the 1997 Pacific Typhoon Season|accessdate=2007-04-29|url=http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/jma-eng/jma-center/rsmc-hp-pub-eg/Besttracks/bst1997.txt}}</ref> The [[Joint Typhoon Warning Center]] (JTWC) unofficially assumed warning duties for interests in the [[United States Department of Defense]]. Paka continued to intensify after crossing the date line, and from late on [[December 7]] through early the following day it remained a strong tropical storm. However, upper-level [[wind shear]] increased, and it again weakened. At 1200 UTC on [[December 9]], the JTWC assessed Paka as an 85 km/h (50 mph) tropical storm and forecasted it to continue weakening. By [[December 10]], the shear had begun to decrease as the storm moved through the [[Marshall Islands]], and that night the JTWC upgraded Paka to typhoon status.<ref name="pakatcr"/> Paka officially attained typhoon status when JMA classified it with winds of 120 km/h (75 mph) at 0000 UTC on [[December 11]].<ref name="jma"/>
[[Image:Typhoon Paka.gif|thumb|right|250px|Super Typhoon Paka near peak intensity]]
After attaining typhoon status, Paka strengthened fairly quickly, and by [[December 12]] it reached sustained winds of 150 km/h (90 mph) for a ten minute (10-min) duration,<ref name="jma"/> or 215 km/h (135 mph) over a one minute (1-min) duration. Subsequently, it briefly weakened as its forward motion increased. However, Paka again re-intensified, and at 1200 UTC on [[December 14]] it attained the unofficial ranking of super typhoon status while over the open Pacific Ocean.<ref name="pakatcr"/> At the same time, the JMA classified it with 10-min sustained winds of 175 km/h (110 mph).<ref name="jma"/> After reaching its initial peak intensity, Typhoon Paka began to weaken as it approached the southern [[Mariana Islands]]; the [[NEXRAD]] Doppler [[weather radar]] from [[Guam]] revealed the presence of a primary [[eye (cyclone)|eyewall]] of 74 km (46 mi) in diameter, with a fragmented inner wall cloud of 19 km (11 mi) in diameter.<ref name="pakatcr"/> Additionally, satellite imagery indicated an [[eye (cyclone)|eyewall mesovortex]] within the eye of the typhoon.<ref name="gp1297">{{cite web|author=Gary Padgett|year=1998|title=December 1997 Monthly Tropical Cyclone Summary|accessdate=2007-04-30|url=http://australiasevereweather.com/cyclones/1998/summ9712.txt}}</ref> It slowed and began to re-intensify as it continued westward, and at 0530 UTC on [[December 16]] the northern portion of the outer eyewall of Paka passed over the island of [[Rota (island)|Rota]]; 20 minutes later, the southern portion of the inner wall cloud moved across northern [[Guam]].<ref name="pakatcr"/> As it tracked through the Rota Channel, the center of Paka passed about 8 km (5 mi) north of the northern tip of Guam, its closest approach to the island.<ref name="ncdc"/>
Typhoon Paka continued to steadily intensify after passing the Marianas Islands, and late on [[December 17]] it reached its peak intensity of 185 km/h (115 mph <small>10-min sustained</small>) while located 440 km (275 mi) west-northwest of Guam.<ref name="jma"/> Early on [[December 18]], the JTWC assessed it as attaining peak winds of 295 km/h (185 mph <small>1-min winds</small>).<ref name="pakatcr"/> On [[December 19]], it entered the area of responsibility of the [[Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration]], or PAGASA, and was named Rubing.<ref name="wmo905">{{cite web|author=The United Nations Task Force on El Niño, et. al|year=1999|title=The 1997-1998 El Niño Event: A Scientific and Technical Retrospect|publisher=World Meteorological Organization|accessdate=2007-04-19|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20060311135947/http://www.wmo.ch/nino/WMO905-e.pdf}}</ref> Shortly thereafter, Paka moved through an area of progressively increasing [[wind shear]], which resulted in a steady weakening trend.<ref name="gp1297"/> By [[December 21]], winds decreased to tropical storm status. The next day, it degenerated into a tropical depression, and on [[December 23]] JMA classified Paka as dissipated.<ref name="jma"/>
==Impact==
===Marshall Islands===
Prior to the typhoon passing through the [[Marshall Islands]], several hundred residents on the island of [[Ebeye]] fled to safer structures. The threat of Paka prevented [[Continental Micronesia]] from flying in or out of the area.<ref name="afp1212">{{cite news|author=Giff Johnson|date=1997-12-12|title=Typhoon Paka hits Marshall Islands|publisher=Agence France-Presse|accessdate=2007-09-15}}</ref>
Paka entered the Marshall Islands between [[Mili Atoll|Mili]] and [[Majuro]] as a tropical storm on [[December 10]], and after strengthening into a typhoon, it left the archipelago on [[December 14]].<ref name="ncdc">{{cite web|author=National Climatic Data Center|year=1997|title=Event Report for Typhoon Paka|accessdate=2007-09-15|url=http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~309549}}</ref> The cyclone affected several islands in the nation, and the [[Majuro]] and [[Kwajalein]] atolls reported wind gusts in excess of 75 km/h (45 mph).<ref name="pakatcr"/> On [[Jaluit Atoll]], the typhoon dropped 217 mm (8.54 in) of precipitation in six hours, with a total of about 300 mm (11.8 in) recorded in 30 hours.<ref>{{cite news|author=Chris Jones|date=1997-12-12|title=Weatherwatch|publisher=The Guardian|accessdate=2007-09-15}}</ref> Strong waves inundated low-lying islands, which flooded crops with salt water.<ref name="afp1212"/> The combination of the wind and flooding caused severe damage to banana, papaya, and lime trees across the territory.<ref name="ncdc"/> Typhoon Paka damaged 70% of the houses on [[Ailinglaplap Atoll]], and most of the coconut trees on the atoll were left toppled or damaged. Strong winds left large portions of [[Ebeye]] island without electricity or telephone.<ref name="afp1212"/> The typhoon caused no reported deaths or injuries in the region, and damage was estimated at $80 million (1997 [[United States dollar|USD]], $100 million 2007 USD).<ref name="ncdc"/>
===Guam===
[[Image:Typhoon Paka - Guam Damage.gif|right|thumb|250px|Damage on Guam]]
The [[Guam]] [[National Weather Service]] issued a [[tropical cyclone warnings and watches|typhoon watch]] on [[December 14]], which was upgraded to a typhoon warning the next day. The [[Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport]] was closed during the passage of Paka, with only emergency flights permitted.<ref name="ncdc"/>
Passing a short distance north of the island, Typhoon Paka produced strong winds across northern [[Guam]], though reliable wind reports are incomplete due to the long duration and intensity of the winds. The highest reading believed to be reliable was at [[Apra Harbor]]. There, a station recorded a wind gust of 277 km/h (171 mph) before the sensor failed as winds shifted to the southwest; since the winds from the southwest were stronger and of greater duration, officials believe gusts there reached 297 km/h (184 mph).<ref name="pakatcr"/> Additionally, [[Andersen Air Force Base]] recorded a peak wind gust of 381 km/h (236 mph),<ref name="pakwinds">{{cite web|author=Sam Houston, Greg Forbes, and Arthur Chiu|year=1998|title=Super Typhoon Paka's Surface Winds Over Guam|publisher=NOAA|accessdate=2007-10-05|url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/project98/sh_proj1.html}}</ref> which at the time was considered the highest wind speed on record, surpassing the 1934 world record of 372 km/h (231 mph) on [[Mount Washington (New Hampshire)|Mount Washington]] in [[New Hampshire]].<ref name="afp1218">{{cite news|author=Agence France Presse|date=1997-12-18|title=Cyclone Paka clocks up world record and hammers Guam|accessdate=2007-10-05}}</ref> However, a subsequent wind survey of the area discarded the reading at the base, as it was considered unreliable.<ref name="pakwinds"/> As [[microbarograph]]s are less exposed than wind sensors, pressure readings on the island are considered accurate; the lowest reading on the island was 948 [[Bar (unit)|mbar]] (hPa) at Andersen Air Force Base.<ref name="pakatcr"/> In two days, the typhoon dropped about 533 mm (21 in) of precipitation on the northern portion of the island, or about 89% of the monthly rainfall total.<ref name="enso">{{cite web|author=NOAA|year=1998|title=Pacific ENSO Update - Special Bulletin|accessdate=2007-10-16|url=http://www.soest.hawaii.edu/MET/Enso/peu/update.dir/Update-Jan98.html}}</ref> Waves along northern Guam reached about 11 m (35 ft) in height.<ref name="eqe">{{cite web|author=EQE International|year=1998|title=Typhoon Paka - December 1997|accessdate=2007-10-27|url=http://www.absconsulting.com/resources/Catastrophe_Reports/TYPHOON%20PAKA-1997.pdf|format=PDF}}</ref>
The strong winds from Paka left around 1,500 buildings destroyed on the island,<ref name="eqe"/> of which 1,160 were single-family homes.<ref name="ncdc"/> A further 10,000 buildings sustained damage to some degree,<ref name="eqe"/> with 60% of the homes on the island reporting major damage.<ref name="ncdc"/> In all, about 5,000 people were left homeless due to the typhoon. Additionally, an estimated 30–40 % of the public buildings received major damage.<ref name="ncdc"/> Buildings on the island made of reinforced concerted fared well, as opposed to light metal-frame structures, which more often were completely destroyed. Large tourist hotels near [[Hagåtña, Guam|Hagåtña]], on which Guam is dependent, received generally minor damage, such as broken windows and damaged power generators.<ref name="eqe"/>
[[Image:Paka NEXRAD.jpg|right|thumb|[[NEXRAD]] image of Typhoon Paka from Guam]]
A complete island-wide power outage followed the typhoon; damage to the main electrical transmission and distribution system was estimated at $16 million (1997 USD, $20 million 2007 USD). Following the passage of the typhoon, 25% of the homes on Guam were left without water.<ref name="ncdc"/> Telephone service remained working after the storm, due to most lines being underground. Strong waves washed away a few coastal roads in the northern portion of the island, leaving them temporarily closed. The waves surpassed the seawall at [[Apra Harbor]], damaging the road and infrastructure of the seaport; many boats were washed ashore after breaking from their moorings. Strong winds damaged a radar system and lights along the runway of the [[Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport]], though most airport facilities received light damage. The [[Andersen Air Force Base]] also sustained heavy damage, with hundreds of downed trees and many facilities left damaged.<ref name="eqe"/>
Prior to Paka, the last typhoon to strike Guam was [[Typhoon Omar]] in 1992. Low pressure due to Typhoon Paka led to nine pregnant women giving birth during its passage.<ref name="bbc">{{cite web|author=BBC News|date=1997-12-17|title=Record typhoon winds ravage Guam|accessdate=2007-10-28|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/40579.stm}}</ref> Across Guam, damage was estimated at $500 million (1997 USD, $645 million 2007 USD).<ref name="ncdc"/> About 100 people were injured,<ref name="bbc"/> but the typhoon caused no deaths on the island.<ref name="ncdc"/>
===Northern Mariana Islands===
A [[tropical cyclone warnings and watches|typhoon watch]] was issued for [[Rota (island)|Rota]], [[Tinian]], and [[Saipan]] on [[December 14]], which was upgraded to a typhoon warning the next day.<ref name="ncdc"/> Because Paka was intensifying while passing to the south of [[Rota (island)|Rota]], the first wind, or northeast through east winds, was less severe than the second wind from the southeast.<ref name="pakatcr"/> Sustained winds on the island reached 145 km/h (90 mph), with gusts reaching 185 km/h (115 mph).<ref name="ncdc"/> Many trees in the mountainous portion of the island were left defoliated, which limited nesting and foraging sites for the endangered [[Bridled White-eye]] bird.<ref>{{cite web|author=Fish and Wildlife Services|year=2001|title=Proposed Endangered Status for the Rota Bridled White-Eye (Zosterops rotensis) From the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands|publisher=Department of the Interior|accessdate=2007-10-17|url=http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-IMPACT/2001/October/Day-03/i24659.htm}}</ref> While passing to the south of the island, Paka dropped 250–300 mm (10–12 in) of rain.<ref name="enso"/> Damage on the island totaled $4.4 million (1997 USD).<ref name="ncdc"/> The typhoon also produced above-normal precipitation on [[Saipan]].<ref name="enso"/>
==Aftermath==
Following the passage of the typhoon in the [[Ailinglaplap Atoll]] in the [[Marshall Islands]], residents experienced severe food shortages due to damaged crops and little rainfall. Experts estimated the entire redevelopment of its fauna would require more than a decade. As a result of the crop shortage, large-scale evacuations of the islands' residents were considered. Officials in the nation requested assistance from the [[Federal Emergency Management Agency]] of the [[United States]],<ref>{{cite news|author=Giff Johnson|date=1998-03-07|title=Cyclone and El Nino Could Force Evacuation of Island|publisher=Agence France-Presse|accessdate=2007-09-16}}</ref> and on [[March 20]], [[1998]], the area was declared a disaster area; the declaration allowed for the usage of emergency funds.<ref>{{cite web|author=FEMA|year=1998|title=Marshall Islands Severe Drought|accessdate=2007-09-16|url=http://www.fema.gov/news/event.fema?id=593}}</ref>
On [[December 17]], [[1997]], [[President of the United States|President]] [[Bill Clinton]] declared [[Guam]] a federal disaster area, making it eligible for federal assistance.<ref name="1217fem">{{cite web|author=FEMA|year=1997|title=Guam Typhoon Paka|accessdate=2007-05-01|url=http://www.fema.gov/news/event.fema?id=645}}</ref> One week later, a disaster declaration was ordered for the [[Northern Mariana Islands]].<ref name="1224fem">{{cite web|author=FEMA|year=1997|title=Northern Mariana Islands Typhoon|accessdate=2007-05-01|url=http://www.fema.gov/news/event.fema?id=4443}}</ref> Ultimately, [[Federal Emergency Management Agency|FEMA]] received 14,770 Individual Assistance Applications from residents on Guam. In turn, FEMA provided the residents with over $27 million in assistance (1997 USD, $35 million 2007 USD).<ref name="fempongsona">{{cite web|author=FEMA|year=2003|title=Super Typhoon Pongsona Assistance Surpasses Paka Totals|accessdate=2007-04-30|url=http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=2152}}</ref> The entire island of Guam was left without power after Paka. Water and sewage systems on Guam were directly affected minimally by the typhoon. With the usage of power generators, most areas of the island had [[water pumping]] capabilities within a few days after the typhoon. The [[Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport]] was partially reopened to daytime flights a day after the typhoon, and by a week after the passage of Paka the airport was fully re-opened.<ref name="eqe"/>
Due to the heavy damage from the typhoon, the Central Pacific Hurricane Center requested the retirement of the name in April 2006; the name ''Paka'' was replaced with ''Pama''.<ref>{{cite web|author=Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorology|year=2007|title=Actions and Recommendations for the 61st Interdepartmental Hurricane Conference|accessdate=2007-10-14|url=http://www.ofcm.gov/homepage/text/spc_proj/ihc/action-items.pdf}}</ref>
==See also==
{{tcportal}}
* [[List of tropical cyclones]]
* [[List of retired Pacific hurricane names]]
== References ==
{{reflist|2}}
== External links ==
* [http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/project98/sh_proj1.html Super Typhoon Paka's (1997) Surface Winds Over Guam]
* [http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/data/paka/pakaphotos.html Damage images of Typhoon Paka on Guam]
{{Retired Pacific hurricanes}}
{{featured article}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Paka}}
[[Category:Pacific typhoons]]
[[Category:Retired Pacific hurricanes]]
[[Category:1997 Pacific hurricane season]]
[[Category:1997 Pacific typhoon season]]
[[Category:Category 5 tropical cyclones]]
[[Category:1997 meteorology]]
[[Category:Typhoons in Guam]]
[[Category:Typhoons in the Northern Mariana Islands]]
[[de:Taifun Paka]]
[[pl:Tajfun Paka]]
[[pt:Tufão Paka]]
[[ru:Пака]]
[[sv:Tyfonen Paka]]